Zantedeschia plant named ‘Snow white’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Zantedeschia  named ‘SNOW WHITE’ that is distinguishable by dense dwarf habit, medium-green foliage, and large fragrant, white and yellow inflorescences. In combination these traits set ‘SNOW WHITE’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Zantedeschia  known to the inventor.

Genus: Zantedeschia.

Species: aethiopica.

Denomination: ‘SNOW WHITE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of callalily grown for use in woodland borders and damp grasslands. The newinvention from the family Araceae, is known botanically as Zantedeschiaaethiopica and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name‘SNOW WHITE’.

The new Zantedeschia cultivar named ‘SNOW WHITE’ was discovered in 2003as a naturally occurring branch sport of Zantedeschia ‘Crowborough’(unpatented). The inventor discovered ‘SNOW WHITE’ at the inventor'snursery in County Kildare, Ireland. The parent is an individualZantedeschia ‘Crowborough’. The inventor selected ‘SNOW WHITE’ based onthe criteria of plant height and inflorescence size.

Zantedeschia aethiopica typically produces a “flower” (inflorescence)consisting of a white spathe and a yellow spadix, although the spadixalso has a white surface which is largely obscured by numerous sessileyellow staminate flowers.

The new variety named ‘SNOW WHITE’ is distinguishable from the parent byplant height. ‘SNOW WHITE’ grows to only 60 cm. in height whereas‘Crowborough’ reaches a height of 100 cm. or more. Plant specimens ofsmaller stature generally exhibit smaller inflorescences, however ‘SNOWWHITE’ exhibits large white and yellow inflorescences that are as largeas those of the parent.

The distinguishing characteristics of ‘SNOW WHITE’ are dense dwarfhabit, medium-green foliage, and large fragrant white and yellowinflorescences that bloom winter through spring. Mature dimensions whenin bloom are 60 cm. in height and 60 cm. in width. Cultural requirementsinclude shade, moist fertile soil, and regular water. ‘SNOW WHITE’ ishardy to USDA Zone 8.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘SNOW WHITE’ was accomplished at theinventor's nursery, in County Kildare, Ireland. Asexual propagation wasconducted by the inventor using the method of division. Since that timeunder careful observation ‘SNOW WHITE’ has been determined fixed, stableand true to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Zantedeschia cultivar named‘SNOW WHITE’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘SNOW WHITE’ fromall other existing varieties of Zantedeschia known to the inventor.‘SNOW WHITE’ has not been tested under all possible conditions.Phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions without however any variance ingenotype.

-   -   1. ‘SNOW WHITE’ exhibits dense dwarf habit.    -   2. ‘SNOW WHITE’ exhibits medium-green foliage.    -   3. ‘SNOW WHITE’ exhibits large fragrant white and yellow        inflorescences.    -   4. ‘SNOW WHITE’ is asexually propagated by the method of        division.    -   5. ‘SNOW WHITE’ reaches 60 cm. in height and 60 cm. in width at        maturity.    -   6. ‘SNOW WHITE’ is hardy to USDA Zone 8.    -   7. ‘SNOW WHITE’ blooms winter through spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Zantedeschia cultivar named ‘SNOW WHITE’ showing color as true as isreasonably possible to obtain in color reproductions of this type. Colorin the drawings may differ from color values cited in the detailedbotanical description, which accurately describe the actual color of thenew variety ‘SNOW WHITE’. The drawings were made from 2 year old plantswhich had been grown in a frost-protected greenhouse and then outside inCounty Kildare, Ireland.

FIG. 1 depicts the entire plant in bloom from a side perspective.

FIG. 2 depicts a close up of a leaf.

FIG. 3 depicts a close up of a inflorescence.

The drawings were made using conventional techniques and althoughinflorescence and foliage color may appear different from actual colordue to light reflectance they are as accurate as possible byconventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the newZantedeschia cultivar named ‘SNOW WHITE’. Observations, measurements,values and comparisons were collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. duringFebruary of 2008 from 24-month-old plants in 7-litre containers andgrown in a frost-protected greenhouse in Watsonville, Calif. Colordeterminations were made in accordance with the 2001 Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart from London, England, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growingrequirements of the new variety are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘SNOW WHITE’.-   Family: Araceae.-   Genus: ZANTEDESCHIA.-   Species: aethiopica.-   Denomination: ‘SNOW WHITE’.-   Common name: Calla lily.-   Habit: Dense dwarf habit.-   Commercial category: Herbaceous perennial.-   Use: Woodland border and damp grassland.-   Suggested commercial container size: 1-litre container or larger.-   Parentage: Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘SNOW WHITE’ was discovered as a    naturally occurring branch sport of the following:    -   -   Parent.—An individual Zantedeschia ‘Crowborough’            (unpatented).-   Propagation method: Division.-   Rooting system: Fibrous and fleshy.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Crop time (average): 6 months to produce a 1-litre container from    division.-   Temperature (range): The recommended air temperature is 20-21°    Centigrade.-   Plant dimensions (first year): 60 cm. in height and 40 cm. in width.-   Plant dimensions (at maturity): 60 cm. in height and 60 cm. in    width.-   Cultural requirements: Plant in shade, in moist fertile soil, with    regular water.-   Pest susceptibility: Susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids.-   Disease susceptibility: None known to the inventor.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 8.-   Special considerations: All plant parts can elicit dermal irritation    if handled.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type,—Evergreen.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Basal.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire and undulate.        -   Leaf shape.—Sagittate.        -   Leaf length (average).—23 cm.        -   Leaf width (average).—13 cm.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—N138A.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—39A.        -   Leaf base.—Sagittate.        -   Leaf apex.—Caudate.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinate.        -   Vein color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—N 138C.        -   Leaf surfaces (abaxial and adaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole length (range).—30-40 cm.        -   Petiole width.—0.75 cm.        -   Petiole shape (range).—Plano-convex to sulcate.        -   Petiole surface.—Glabrous.        -   Petiole texture.—Spongy/pithy.        -   Petiole color.—144A.        -   Petiole base.—Sheathing.        -   Foliage fragrance.—None observed.-   Inflorescence: The inflorescence consists of a white spathe and    spadix. Spadix surface appears yellow by virtue of numerous sessile    yellow staminate flowers.    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Spadiceous.        -   lnflorescence quantity (average).—11 per 7-litre container            plant.        -   Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.        -   Peduncle length (range).—30-40 cm.        -   Peduncle width.—1.50 cm.        -   Peduncle shape (range).—Subterete to trigonous.        -   Peduncle color.—138B.        -   Peduncle surface.—Glabrous.        -   Peduncle strength.—Strong.        -   Peduncle texture.—Spongy/pithy.        -   Blooming seasons.—Winter-spring.        -   Inflorescence fragrance.—Sweet perfume fragrance.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence (range).—7-14 days.        -   Corolla.—Absent.        -   Calyx.—absent.        -   Spathe.—Number: One per inflorescence. Color (adaxial            surface): 155D. Color (abaxial surface): 155D. Surfaces            (adaxial and abaxial): Glabrous. Shape: Sub-cylindrical to            funnel. Apex: Caudate and recurved. Base: Convolute. Margin:            Entire and undulate. Width (range): 2-12 cm. Length: 17 cm.        -   Spadix.—Number: One per inflorescence. Spadix color: 155D.            Spadix shape: Sub-cylindrical. Spadix apex: Rounded. Spadix            height: 8.50 cm. Spadix diameter: 1.10 cm. Spadix            attachment: Sessile. Staminate flower number: >100 from            midway of spadix to apex. Staminate flower color: 13B.            Staminate flower length (average): 3 mm. Pistillate flower            number (average): 60 at base of spadix. Pistillate flower            color: 13D. Pistillate flower shape: Columnar. Pistillate            flower length: 6 mm. Pollen color: 158A. Pollen quantity:            Heavy. Ovary position: Superior. Ovary color: 142D. Ovary            shape: Subcylindrical. Ovary dimensions: 1.50 cm. in height            and 1 cm. in width.-   Seed: None observed to date.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Zantedeschia plant named ‘SNOW WHITE’as described and illustrated herein.